Search results for "Philippines"

Jun 15, 2020 • 4 min read
Editorial

Black Lives Matter and abandoned Angkor

This week, as the US is rocked by a moment of intense introspection and reflection on the issue of race and equality, we publish an op-ed on the role of the Khmer diaspora in the Black Lives Matter movement, sent to us by our friends over at the Cambodian American Literary Arts Association. We also have a selection of images depicting ancient Angkor as few have seen it in recent decades, with it largely devoid of visitors in recent months with the dramatic downturn in global tourism.
By Andrew Haffner

Jun 15, 2020 • 3 min read
Press freedom

Duterte-critic journalist Ressa convicted in Philippine libel case

Rappler CEO Maria Ressa was convicted on June 15 of cyber libel and sentenced to prison in a case that watchdogs say marks a dangerous erosion of press freedom under Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte
By Joshua Melvin and Ron Lopez/AFP

Jun 12, 2020 • 3 min read
Human rights

Child Labour Index: Cambodia highest risk in region for underage workers

Consulting firm Verisk Maplecroft has ranked Cambodia 28th in the world and the highest risk in Southeast Asia for the use of child labour in its 2020 index. The Southeast Asia region as a whole faired poorly, with seven countries deemed at 'extreme' or 'high' risk
By Alexi Demetriadi and Alastair McCready

Jun 05, 2020 • 9 min read
Covid-19

Pandemic creating conditions ripe for human trafficking, experts fear

As Southeast Asia remains locked down, efforts to prevent human trafficking are slowing. But the economic fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic poses particular threats to vulnerable communities across the region, as it heightens the appeal of a better life elsewhere
By Gerald Flynn and Andreas Schloenhardt

Jun 04, 2020 • 5 min read
Plastic pollution

A blight on its environment, Indonesia strides towards zero plastic goal

Indonesia is among the world's most heavily plastic polluted nations. To tackle this, the National Plastic Action Partnership is the country's most radical plan to date, but can it be effectively implemented and at what human cost?
By Akshay Honmane

Jun 04, 2020 • 3 min read
Duterte's Philippines

UN: People killed with ‘near impunity’ in Philippine drug war

A UN report on June 4 called for an independent investigation into rights abuses in the Philippines as it accused President Rodrigo Duterte's infamous drug war of unleashing widespread and systematic killing with "near impunity"
By Agence France-Presse

May 27, 2020 • 9 min read
Green cities

How did lockdown impact air quality in your Southeast Asian city?

While the global pandemic has been devastating for economies and lives across the world, it has been undeniably good for the environment. As cities across Southeast Asia have shut down, air quality has steadily and uniformly improved – that is in all but one city
By Lee Ying Shan and Alexi Demetriadi

May 26, 2020 • 7 min read
Migrant rights

Taipei station becomes protest focal point, sparking migrant rights debate

A recent proposed ban on gatherings in Taipei Main Station has sparked anger in Taiwan, with the terminal's main hall holding a rich history of hosting protests and gatherings, as well as serving as a community space for many Southeast Asian migrant workers in the city
By Ying-Yu Alicia Chen

May 25, 2020 • 2 min read
Migrant workers

Filipina domestic worker commits suicide in Lebanon says embassy

A Filipina domestic workers committed suicide after jumping from the roof of a shelter run by her embassy in Lebanon. Already harsh conditions for migrant workers in the Middle East have only been made worse in recent months as the Covid-19 crisis causes currencies to depreciate and wages drop
By Agence France-Presse

May 22, 2020 • 10 min read
World Turtle Day

Treading on eggshells: Southeast Asia’s turtle conservation fight

As the global pandemic brings a halt to most human activity, many species of turtle are finally finding the breathing room to once again breed and repopulate. But it takes a community to save a turtle, and across Southeast Asia there are several networks fighting for nature's gentle giants
By Lee Ying Shan

May 21, 2020 • 8 min read
Drug trafficking

As governments turn to the virus, Southeast Asia’s narcotics trade booms

Southeast Asia's booming narcotics industry has only been given a helping hand in recent months as governments turn their attention to combating Covid-19. With prices dropping and potency rising, the drug trade could be set to hit the region harder than ever
By Andrew Haffner

May 20, 2020 • 6 min read
Philippines press freedom

Embattled ABS-CBN’s future shrouded in doubt, but newsroom fights on

In the Philippines, the future of ABS-CBN remains uncertain as a decision on whether to allow it to return to air meanders through the nation's political system. But in the newsroom, one of the network's few branches still operating, news chief Ging Reyes says there is a renewed drive and energy
By Alexi Demetriadi